Bible Strands
Proverbs 24:2
for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom writer addresses a listener directly, explaining why the reader must heed Proverbs 24:1's command to reject the wicked before contrasting them with wisdom in Proverbs 24:3.
The words — שֹׁד (shod) means violence and עָמָל ('amal) means trouble, identifying the specific internal and external corruption described in the verse.
The thread — The same correlation of internal plotting and corrupt speech appears in Psalms 7:14, Psalms 10:7, and Psalms 28:3.
Why it lands — The text states that the wicked internally plot violence and externally voice trouble, which demands the reader reject their company rather than be drawn to their apparent success.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Cross-references
- Psalms 7:14 Behold, the wicked man travails with evil; he conceives trouble and births falsehood.
- Psalms 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.
- Psalms 28:3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.
- Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.
- 1 Samuel 23:9 When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”
- Job 15:35 They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb is pregnant with deceit.”
- Esther 3:6 And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.
- Psalms 36:4 Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.
- Proverbs 6:14 With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.
- Micah 7:3 Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.